Neil Cummins

Neil Cummins is a Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in economic history, demography, and social mobility. His research combines 'big data' analytics with historical records to explore long-term socio-economic transformations.

Key areas of focus include fertility decline in France and England, plague mortality in 17th-century London, and long-run social mobility. Cummins leverages digitized genealogical data and probate records to address questions about modern economic behavior. He has authored over 30 papers and is affiliated with LSE's Department of Economic History, collaborating with scholars like Greg Clark and Cormac Ó Gráda.

His work highlights the persistence of class divides (e.g., the 'underclass' status of the Irish in England) and reveals wealth dynamics across centuries. Notable projects include Families of England, analyzing surname-based social mobility, and uncovering hidden wealth among elites. Cummins' research has been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, Guardian, and Vox EU.

He holds a comprehensive academic profile with administrative roles at LSE and maintains an open-access research website (neilcummins.com). His current investigations span educational impacts, industrial revolution dynamics, and the socio-economic consequences of migration patterns in England.